I work on a busy med/surg unit.....really???

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

Why do people say they work on a busy med/surg unit? It seems like a no brainer that these units are busy.

Do people really think there are slow med/surg units?

What also drives me a little batty is when you ask a co-worker how their day/noc was and they reply *busy*.

I know a silly pet peeve but just had to share my agitation and spread the wealth :)

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Specializes in NICU, Peds.

I find it annoying when people who should know better ask how your day was and expect any other answer than "busy". You know the answer ... why continue to ask the question?

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.
I find it annoying when people who should know better ask how your day was and expect any other answer than "busy". You know the answer ... why continue to ask the question?

Thankyou.

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.
I find it annoying when people who should know better ask how your day was and expect any other answer than "busy". You know the answer ... why continue to ask the question?

Well aren't you the clever one.

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Specializes in FNP.

People are now offended by social niceties, so we just just assume your shift sucked and never ask. Noted. What a world we live in.

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

Nursing is a busy job. That we know. I don't know why people have to be so snarky.

If I ask how your day was I already know it was busy and I'm sincerely asking how your day was.

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics, Renal Med/Surg.
People are now offended by social niceties, so we just just assume your shift sucked and never ask. Noted. What a world we live in.

lol pretty much.:D J/K But seriously, I think a good majority of ppl (not necessarily including you) only ask , "Hey how are you/ how was your day?" because its the socially acceptable and appropriate thing to do without real meaning behind it. People sense this and understand not alot of people have time or want to hear the long and real answer to this question, so people get tired of hearing the question asked when the asker really doesn't want to know much beyond a positive or atleast neutral response to the question. -Atkeast thats my take on it.

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Why do people say they work on a busy med/surg unit? It seems like a no brainer that these units are busy.

Do people really think there are slow med/surg units?

What also drives me a little batty is when you ask a co-worker how their day/noc was and they reply *busy*.

I know a silly pet peeve but just had to share my agitation and spread the wealth :)

There are med surg units that are a lot more busy than some other medical surgical floors. Ive seem nurses on some med surge floors that spend most of the time sitting down and I've seen nurses on other med surge floors that don't have time to freaking pee. Maybe their day was really busy, so I don't understand why people get annoyed by that answer. Do you want them to lie lol? Internal medicine floors are crazy and so are the cardiac floors/ especially post op , so many codes.

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lol pretty much.:D J/K But seriously, I think a good majority of ppl (not necessarily including you) only ask , "Hey how are you/ how was your day?" because its the socially acceptable and appropriate thing to do without real meaning behind it. People sense this and understand not alot of people have time or want to hear the long and real answer to this question, so people get tired of hearing the question asked when the asker really doesn't want to know much beyond a positive or atleast neutral response to the question. -Atkeast thats my take on it.

When I was 16, and taking 8 classes (no lunch) so I could graduate as a Junior, I got depressed. And a teacher noticed and asked me. Well, dad (who happened to be the principal at that school) got wind of it.....yelled at me to NEVER tell anybody how i was- say "fine" because nobody really cares anyway (great concept for a kid- to feel nobody really cares). I hate that !! If I ask someone, I want to know...but yes, today it's the pat question to everyone, and as soon as "how are you?" leaves the persons lips, their ears slam shut. It's sad.... :(

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Many times I answer with "do you want the polite answer or the truth". Makes them think about why the really asked. If it's at work I usually say "everybody is still breathing" which we all know is a good thing! lol

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I've determined that managment analyzes what a reasonable ratio pt/nurse is and then they give you 2-3 more patients. Med Surg like jobs are more than than just "busy" then are insane!!:bugeyes:

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

Wow, I think you need a vacation.

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